Every time a congregation gathers for worship, many different people, from different points in life, with different needs, and perspectives come together, each refracting messages through their own lenses. Each person processes communication in ways that are influenced by age, gender, race, personality type, ethnicity, education, and social and economic background. Jeter and Allen explore how these factors affect the ways in which members of the congregation receive and process sermons,and how the preacher can optimize the opportunity for each to hear and understand the gospel and one another.